16th Lux Style Awards — A night of many firsts, closes with a befitting tribute

KARACHI: As the curtain fell on the annual award ceremony held Wednesday night here at the Expo Centre, the 16th edition of Lux Style Awards will be remembered as a night of many firsts as well as unexpected surprises.

Often dubbed the 'Pakistani Oscars', the Lux Style Awards are the oldest, most prominent, and the most talked-about award show since their inception in 2002.

Featuring almost 30 categories of film, fashion, music, and television, the event – commonly known as the LSAs – marked the debut of fashion’s much-admired star and showman Hasan Yasin Shehryar (HSY) as an award show director. Internationally-renowned singing sensation Atif Aslam also took the stage for the first time as a host.

The front row was lined of industry legends, such as Nadeem Baig and Usman Peerzada, alongside other experienced actors like Faisal Qureshi and Mikaal Zulfiqaar. They appreciated the LSA's importance as the nation’s premiere award show that has recognised local talent consistently over the years.

A winner of five LSAs and multiple others, including a Pride of Performance, seasoned actor Noman Ejaz was also in attendance. However, he is not a big fan of such ceremonies and said he is in the audience to support HSY's efforts.

Reema returns

Atif kicked off the event with his power-packed performance, which was followed by one of LSA 2017's biggest surprises: the return of yesteryear’s silver screen queen Reema to the limelight. Having refrained from extended appearances since her marriage, the stunning icon made a magical comeback, sharing the stage with one of the newcomers – Mawra Hocane.

VJ-turned-actor Mahira Khan, who recently made her Bollywood debut with film Raees, rapped on stage in a seemingly one-sided rap battle with actor Osman Khalid Butt and left the audience spellbound.

Who won, who lost?

Actor In Law bagged the year's best actor, best director, and best picture awards.

Mahira, on the other hand, received the best actress LSA for her lead performance in Ho Man Jahaan.

The much-loved singer Tina Sani and celebrity hairstylist Tariq Amin were recipients of the Lifetime Achievement and Unilever Chairperson awards, respectively. Being rewarded for his decades-long contribution to the fashion industry, Amin was honoured to be the youngest and first male award recipient and appreciated the recognition.

Two new Lux girls were also revealed during the night.

After Ali Zafar performed with his Teefa in Trouble costar Maya Ali, Atif Aslam’s befitting tribute to the late Junaid Jamshed as the closing act was one of the main highlights of 16th Lux Style Awards.

An early night

With a bigger and much more visually-impressive stage, the award ceremony, which had started after 11 PM last year, astonishingly wrapped up by midnight, marking another unprecedented highlight of the LSA 2017.

Fariyha Subhani, Unilever Pakistan's Marketing Director, described LSA 2017 as one with many "first-evers" in the fifteen-year history of the LSAs.